The Australian Institute of Architects, officially the Royal Australian Institute of Architects (abbreviated as RAIA), is Australia's professional body for architects. Its members use the post-nominals FRAIA (Fellow), ARAIA (Associate Member) and RAIA (Member, also the organisation's abbreviation). The Institute supports 14,000 members across Australia, including 550 Australian members who are based in architectural roles across 40 countries outside Australia. SONA (Student Organised Network for Architecture) is the national student-membership body of the Australian Institute of Architects.[1] EmAGN (Emerging Architects and Graduates Network) represents architectural professionals within 15 years of graduation, as part of the Australian Institute of Architects.[2]
A number of Australian colonies (later states) formed professional societies for architects.
The Royal Victorian Institute of Architects (RVIA) was established as the Victorian Institute of Architects in the colony of Victoria in August 1856, receiving royal charter in 1889.[3]
The Australian Institute of Architects was established on 6 September 1929,[12]
when state architectural institutes combined to form a unified national association. The RVIA became a foundation member of the federated body in 1929.[3] On 18 August 1930 the 'Royal' title was granted, and it became the Royal Australian Institute of Architects.[12]
The Queensland Institute of Architects joined in 1930,[13] with WAIA following in March 1943.[14] SAIA joined up in July 1962, becoming the "South Australian Chapter".[15][16][6]
The national headquarters was formerly located in Red Hill, Canberra, in a 1968 building designed by Bryce Mortlock from Sydney firm Ancher, Mortlock and Woolley. This building still functions as the ACT Chapter offices.[17]
In August 2008,[6] following an informal poll of members in 2001, the National Council resolved to continue trading as the 'Australian Institute of Architects', while retaining 'Royal Australian Institute of Architects' as the legal name. The postnominals of FRAIA (Fellow) and RAIA (Members and organisation abbreviation) continue to be used with the legal name abbreviated.[18]
In the preamble of the AIA's constitution states its wider purpose as "The Royal Australian Institute of Architects, established in 1930, is a national member based organisation for the architecture profession. The Institute supports and advances the architecture profession by advocating for high quality design and responsible sustainability for the built environment."[19]
As a professional body representing architects, the institute is represented on many national and state industry and government bodies, and is affiliated with the International Union of Architects (UIA).[citation needed]
A chapter is maintained in each state and territory. Each chapter runs a range of events, activities and annual state and regional architecture awards, that feed into the national awards program.
The National Architecture Awards are held in late October or early November each year and have been presented since 1981.[20] The shortlisted entrants are drawn from relevant state based awards programs held earlier in the year (usually in June or July). The awards cover residential, public, education, commercial, interiors, small projects, urban design, international projects, steel construction and sustainability.
National Prizes have been awarded annually since 2010, usually in early May and often as part of the Australian Architecture Conference. Each prize has a separate jury who assess a shortlist in each category. The inaugural 'Australian Achievement in Architecture Awards' were held on 18 March 2010 at the Gallery of Modern Art in Brisbane, presented separately to the National Awards. In 2017 the program was renamed as 'National Prizes'. National Prizes recognise achievement across a range of categories that support and promote advocacy, innovation and education, and do not relate to particular buildings which are judged at the National Awards later in the same year.
Each of the State and Territory chapters also present annual awards, including Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Western Australia and Victoria. The winners of these awards form the shortlist for consideration of the National Awards later in the same year. The International Chapter of the AIA also run an awards program.
Coat of arms of the Royal Australian Institute of Architects
Notes
In May 1953, the Federal Executive Council of RAIA resolved to seek the design of a coat of arms.[115][116] The final design was Granted by the Kings of Arms, of the College of Arms.[117]
Adopted
28 September 1956
Escutcheon
Per fesse Azure and Or masoned Sable, issuant from the fesse point a rising Sun Gold, overall an Ionic Column Gules.
Supporters
On either side a Kangaroo proper, collard and chained Or.
Compartment
A field of Grass Vert.
Motto
Latin: Artem Promovemus Una ("United we advance architecture")[118]
Symbolism
In 1927 the Federal Council of Australian Institutes of Architects adopted a design for the seal of the proposed Federal Institute by two Tasmanian architects, Alan Cameron Walker and Archibald Thomas Johnston, that was based upon the seal of the Royal Institute of British Architects, using kangaroos instead of lions and a rising sun in the shield.[119] The coat of arms granted by the College of Arms in 1956 was based upon this seal, as have all subsequent institute logos and badges, with the most recent version of the logo adopted in 2008.[119] The Latin motto was originally adopted at the suggestion of Victorian architect, William Arthur Mordey Blackett, at the 1928 Conference of the Federal Council of Australian Institutes of Architects, which discussed the establishment of the federal institute, with the motto's original translation given as "We advance our Art together".[120] In a 1951 edition of the Institute Journal, Architecture, the RAIA President, Cobden Parkes, explained further on the motto and its meaning:
The Institute motto, "Artem promovemus una", literally translated, means something like "Together we advance the profession". More subjectively it is construed in the first tenet of the Memorandum of Association of the Institute as "the advancement of architecture"; for when it speaks of a profession, our motto obviously means that of architecture.[121]
^ abFreeland, John Maxwell (1971). The Making of a Profession: A History of the Growth and Work of the Architectural Institutes in Australia. Sydney: Angus and Robertson. p. 201. ISBN0207122393.
^Royal Australian Institute of Architects. South Australian Chapter (1962), Quarterly bulletin [Catalogue entry], The Institute, retrieved 20 January 2021
^Federated Builders' Association of Australia; Master Builders' Federation of Australia (24 July 1942), "Obituary", Building: the magazine for the architect, builder, property owner and merchant, vol. 70, no. 419, Sydney: Building Publishing Co., 72 v. : ill. ; 25 cm., nla.obj-303114399, retrieved 18 June 2020 – via Trove
^"R.A.I.A. ELECTS NEW PRESIDENT". The Daily Telegraph. New South Wales, Australia. 21 November 1934. p. 16. Retrieved 18 June 2020 – via Trove.
^"Architects' Convention Expected". The Canberra Times. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 13 October 1962. p. 7. Retrieved 26 December 2020 – via National Library of Australia.
^"Malcolm Moir". Canberra House. Retrieved 26 December 2020.
^"Architects suggest course here". The Canberra Times. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 8 October 1964. p. 12. Retrieved 26 December 2020 – via National Library of Australia.
^"IN BRIEF Election predicted". The Canberra Times. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 15 October 1976. p. 3. Retrieved 26 December 2020 – via National Library of Australia.
^"Call for contest". The Canberra Times. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 12 October 1978. p. 9. Retrieved 26 December 2020 – via National Library of Australia.
^"Architects". The Canberra Times. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 19 October 1980. p. 3. Retrieved 26 December 2020 – via National Library of Australia.
^"Architects branch out". The Canberra Times. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 15 October 1982. p. 8. Retrieved 26 December 2020 – via National Library of Australia.
^"Architect s president". The Canberra Times. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 20 October 1984. p. 7. Retrieved 26 December 2020 – via National Library of Australia.
^"Plea to keep work in ACT". The Canberra Times. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 15 August 1989. p. 16. Retrieved 26 December 2020 – via National Library of Australia.
^"Lateral thinking the key to urban renewal". The Canberra Times. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 30 November 1992. p. 13. Retrieved 26 December 2020 – via National Library of Australia.
^"First woman to lead institute of architects". The Canberra Times. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 8 December 1993. p. 15. Retrieved 26 December 2020 – via National Library of Australia.
^"Having the right designs on film archives". The Canberra Times. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 1 November 1995. p. 6. Retrieved 26 December 2020 – via National Library of Australia.
^"Institute of Architects". Weekly Supplement To Building. New South Wales, Australia. 25 February 1908. p. 4. Retrieved 17 June 2020 – via Trove.
^"Supplement to CONSTRUCTION". Construction – Weekly Supplement To Building. New South Wales, Australia. 31 January 1910. p. 9. Retrieved 18 June 2020 – via Trove.
^"DEATH OF MR. G. B. ROBERTSON". The Sydney Morning Herald. New South Wales, Australia. 3 February 1913. p. 10. Retrieved 18 June 2020 – via Trove.
^"N.S.W. ARCHITECTS". Construction – Weekly Supplement To Building. New South Wales, Australia. 6 March 1911. p. 8. Retrieved 18 June 2020 – via Trove.
^"INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS". The Daily Telegraph. New South Wales, Australia. 28 February 1914. p. 15. Retrieved 18 June 2020 – via Trove.
^"INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS". The Daily Telegraph. New South Wales, Australia. 25 February 1916. p. 9. Retrieved 18 June 2020 – via Trove.
^"WELL-KNOWN ARCHITECT'S DEATH". The Sydney Morning Herald. New South Wales, Australia. 7 May 1921. p. 14. Retrieved 18 June 2020 – via Trove.
^"LATE ALDERMAN PRITCHARD". The Sydney Morning Herald. New South Wales, Australia. 9 May 1921. p. 8. Retrieved 18 June 2020 – via Trove.
^"Institute of Architects". Construction And Local Government Journal. New South Wales, Australia. 31 March 1919. p. 12. Retrieved 18 June 2020 – via Trove.
^"WELL-KNOWN ARCHITECT'S DEATH". The Sydney Morning Herald. New South Wales, Australia. 7 June 1919. p. 18. Retrieved 18 June 2020 – via Trove.
^"INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS". The Sydney Morning Herald. New South Wales, Australia. 28 May 1920. p. 8. Retrieved 18 June 2020 – via Trove.
^"INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS". The Sydney Morning Herald. New South Wales, Australia. 17 March 1921. p. 6. Retrieved 18 June 2020 – via Trove.
^"ARCHITECTS' PRESIDENT". Evening News. New South Wales, Australia. 15 March 1922. p. 7. Retrieved 18 June 2020 – via Trove.
^"INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS". The Daily Telegraph. New South Wales, Australia. 14 February 1923. p. 9. Retrieved 18 June 2020 – via Trove.
^"INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS". The Daily Telegraph. New South Wales, Australia. 3 February 1926. p. 8. Retrieved 18 June 2020 – via Trove.
^"Architects, Builders and Engineers". Construction And Local Government Journal. New South Wales, Australia. 27 January 1927. p. 5. Retrieved 18 June 2020 – via Trove.
^"Architects, Builders and Engineers". Construction And Local Government Journal. New South Wales, Australia. 22 February 1928. p. 12. Retrieved 18 June 2020 – via Trove.
^"ARCHITECTS' PRESIDENT". The Sydney Morning Herald. New South Wales, Australia. 12 March 1929. p. 12. Retrieved 18 June 2020 – via Trove.
^"INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS". Northern Star. New South Wales, Australia. 7 March 1930. p. 6. Retrieved 18 June 2020 – via Trove.
^"INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS". The Sydney Morning Herald. New South Wales, Australia. 6 March 1931. p. 6. Retrieved 18 June 2020 – via Trove.
^"INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS". The Sydney Morning Herald. New South Wales, Australia. 5 March 1932. p. 14. Retrieved 18 June 2020 – via Trove.
^"INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS". The Sydney Morning Herald. New South Wales, Australia. 9 March 1933. p. 16. Retrieved 18 June 2020 – via Trove.
^"INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS OF N.S.W."Construction And Real Estate Journal. New South Wales, Australia. 7 March 1934. p. 9. Retrieved 18 June 2020 – via Trove.
^"ROYAL AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS". Construction And Real Estate Journal. New South Wales, Australia. 10 October 1934. p. 5. Retrieved 6 July 2020 – via National Library of Australia.
^"INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS". The Sydney Morning Herald. New South Wales, Australia. 8 September 1936. p. 6. Retrieved 6 July 2020 – via National Library of Australia.
^"DEATH OF MR. A. W. ANDERSON". The Sydney Morning Herald. New South Wales, Australia. 1 July 1942. p. 9. Retrieved 6 July 2020 – via National Library of Australia.
^"ARCHITECTS' INSTITUTE". The Daily Telegraph. New South Wales, Australia. 17 September 1936. p. 21. Retrieved 6 July 2020 – via National Library of Australia.
^"MR. LEITH c. McCREDIE". The Sydney Morning Herald. New South Wales, Australia. 29 September 1936. p. 5. Retrieved 6 July 2020 – via National Library of Australia.
^"SEVENTH BOARD OF ARCHITECTS OF NEW SOUTH WALES". Government Gazette Of The State Of New South Wales. No. 8. New South Wales, Australia. 19 January 1940. p. 183. Retrieved 6 July 2020 – via National Library of Australia.
^"EIGHTH BOARD OF ARCHITECTS OF NEW SOUTH WALES". Government Gazette Of The State Of New South Wales. No. 20. New South Wales, Australia. 12 February 1943. p. 298. Retrieved 6 July 2020 – via National Library of Australia.
^"ARCHITECTS' INSTITUTE". The Sydney Morning Herald. New South Wales, Australia. 27 November 1944. p. 5. Retrieved 6 July 2020 – via National Library of Australia.
^"ARCHITECTS' PRESIDENT". The Sydney Morning Herald. New South Wales, Australia. 5 October 1946. p. 5. Retrieved 6 July 2020 – via National Library of Australia.
^"ARCHITECTS' PRESIDENT". Construction. New South Wales, Australia. 9 October 1946. p. 2. Retrieved 6 July 2020 – via National Library of Australia.
^"ARCHITECTS' CHIEF". The Kyogle Examiner. New South Wales, Australia. 12 November 1946. p. 1. Retrieved 6 July 2020 – via National Library of Australia.
^"NEW PRESIDENT OF ARCHITECTS". The Daily Telegraph. New South Wales, Australia. 9 October 1948. p. 7. Retrieved 6 July 2020 – via National Library of Australia.
^"BOARD OF ARCHITECTS OF NEW SOUTH WALES". Government Gazette Of The State Of New South Wales. New South Wales, Australia. 17 November 1950. p. 3395. Retrieved 6 July 2020 – via National Library of Australia.
^"New Architects' Office-Bearers". Construction. New South Wales, Australia. 11 October 1950. p. 8. Retrieved 6 July 2020 – via National Library of Australia.
^"ARCHITECTS' OFFICERS". The Sydney Morning Herald. New South Wales, Australia. 11 October 1952. p. 4. Retrieved 6 July 2020 – via National Library of Australia.
^"INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS". The Sydney Morning Herald. New South Wales, Australia. 2 November 1954. p. 10. Retrieved 6 July 2020 – via National Library of Australia.
^"TWELFTH BOARD OF ARCHITECTS OF NEW SOUTH WALES". Government Gazette Of The State Of New South Wales. New South Wales, Australia. 28 December 1956. p. 3815. Retrieved 6 July 2020 – via National Library of Australia.
^"THIRTEENTH BOARD OF ARCHITECTS OF N.S.W."Government Gazette Of The State Of New South Wales. No. 3. New South Wales, Australia. 9 January 1959. p. 41. Retrieved 6 July 2020 – via National Library of Australia.
^"FOURTEENTH BOARD OF ARCHITECTS OF NEW SOUTH WALES". Government Gazette Of The State Of New South Wales. No. 7. New South Wales, Australia. 20 January 1961. p. 142. Retrieved 6 July 2020 – via National Library of Australia.
^"Notes and News - Report on R.A.I.A Council Meeting". Architecture: An Australasian Review of Architecture and the Allied Arts and Sciences. 41 (3). National Library of Australia (Trove): 81. July–September 1953. Retrieved 14 September 2023.
^"Armorial Bearings Competition". Architecture: An Australasian Review of Architecture and the Allied Arts and Sciences. 42 (3). National Library of Australia (Trove): 139. July–September 1954. Retrieved 14 September 2023.
^Low, Charles (1971). A Roll of Australian Arms. Adelaide: Rigby Limited. pp. 19–20. ISBN0-85179-149-2. OCLC246821.
^"Annual Conference Federal Council of Australian Institutes of Architecture". Journal of Proceedings of the Royal Victorian Institute of Architects. Royal Victorian Institute of Architects: 183. 1 September 1928. Retrieved 14 September 2023. Moved by Mr. Blackett, seconded by Mr. Makin, "That the Motto of the R.A.I. badge be "Artem Promovemus Una" ("We advance our Art together").—Carried.
^Parkes, Cobden (July–September 1951). "Artem Promovemus Una". Architecture: An Australasian Review of Architecture and the Allied Arts and Sciences. 39 (3). National Library of Australia (Trove): 67. Retrieved 14 September 2023.